Generation of neutrons in a nanosecond low-pressure discharge in deuterium

摘要

The neutron yield is measured in a high-voltage Townsend discharge in deuterium with a hollow cylinder made of tungsten or steel used as a polarizing anode of electrons. A flat metallic plate covered by a layer of deuterated zirconium is applied as a grounded cathode. The highest yield of neutrons in the reaction H-2(d,n)He-3, similar to 1.2 x 10(4) neutrons per pulse, is observed in the case of the tungsten anode at a deuterium pressure on the order of 100 Pa. The pulsed neutron flux duration estimated with data obtained from a scintillation detector is roughly equal to 1.5 ns.